Takht-Ravanchi: We are defending ourselves; we will not negotiate under threat and bombardment.

According to Saed News, quoting IRNA, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said on Wednesday (local time) in an interview with CNN:
"We have not contacted anyone. We are defending ourselves, although we have always supported diplomacy."

The Deputy Foreign Minister emphasized:
"But we cannot negotiate while the Iranian people are under daily bombardment. We will not beg for anything—we are defending ourselves."

In response to claims by American media and U.S. President Donald Trump that Iran had sent a message expressing willingness to resume nuclear talks, Takht-Ravanchi stated:
"Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran has not sent any message to the U.S. or Israel to restart negotiations. We have not contacted anyone. We are defending ourselves. While Iran has always emphasized diplomacy, we cannot negotiate under pressure and threat. We cannot negotiate while our people are being bombed daily. We will not beg—we are defending ourselves."

"If the U.S. chooses military intervention, we have no choice but to retaliate"

In his interview with CNN, Takht-Ravanchi stressed:
"If the United States decides to intervene militarily, Iran will have no choice but to retaliate in the manner it deems necessary, and against the targets it deems appropriate. This is clear—we are defending ourselves."

He added:
"Considering the timing of Israel's attack, Iran doubts the sincerity and intentions of the United States. The assault took place just two days before a new round of talks was set to begin between Iran and the U.S."

Takht-Ravanchi asserted:
"This attack is a betrayal of diplomacy. It is a betrayal of Iran’s trust in the United States. We must criticize the Americans' conduct. They have no right to act this way."

He also addressed the surge in national unity in Iran following Israel's aggression:
"Now, Iranian society is far more unified in its resistance against aggression and foreign interference in our internal affairs."

According to IRNA, in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, a terrorist attack by the Israeli regime on Tehran and several other Iranian cities resulted in the martyrdom of a number of military commanders, scientists, and civilians.

Following this crime, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran stated in a message to the nation:
"The regime must await severe punishment. By God’s will, the powerful hand of the Islamic Republic's armed forces will not let it go unpunished."